God, the "all-powerful word," wants to bound "from heaven's royal throne" into our land (Wis 18:15), but He's waiting for us to ask for His coming. He's waiting for us to pray – to pray always and not lose heart (Lk 18:1).
The Lord does not call us merely to pray more, but to pray always. We should schedule prayer to the point that, even when not formally at prayer, we will still keep praying always. For most people, this means devoting a "tithe" of our day to prayer, using whatever means of prayer that are possible according to one's vocation and state of life.
Jesus called it a necessity to pray always. He meant that without this constant prayer, necessary parts of God's work will not happen in our lives. For example, the Lord will not bound into our land to transform us, as He intends to do. Pope John Paul II teaches: "We feel not only the need but even a categorical imperative for great, intense and growing prayer by all the Church" (The Redeemer of Man, 22). "Never cease praying, render constant thanks; such is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thes 5:17-18).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I pray because my life depends on it. |
| PROMISE: | "They ranged about like horses, and bounded about like lambs, praising You, O Lord! their Deliverer." –Wis 19:9 |
| PRAISE: | For many years, Roger has read the Bible aloud for blind people. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College